It is the policy of Congress to continue the agricultural research at State agricultural experiment stations which has been encouraged and supported by the Hatch Act of 1887 [7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.], the Adams Act of 1906, the Purnell Act of 1925, the Bankhead-Jones Act of 1935, and title I, section 9, of that Act as added by the Act of August 14, 1946, and Acts amendatory and supplementary thereto, and to promote the efficiency of such research by a codification and simplification of such laws. As used in this Act [7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.], the terms “State” or “States” are defined to include the several States (including the District of Columbia), Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands. As used in this Act [7 U.S.C. 361a et seq.], the term “State agricultural experiment station” means a department which shall have been established, under direction of the college or university or agricultural departments of the college or university in each State in accordance with an Act approved July 2, 1862, (12 Stat. 503), entitled “An Act donating public lands to the several States and Territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts” [7 U.S.C. 301 et seq.]; or such other substantially equivalent arrangements as any State shall determine.

The Hatch Act of 1887, referred to in text, is act Mar. 2, 1887, ch. 314, 24 Stat. 440, as amended, which is classified generally to sections
361a to
361i of this title. For complete classification of this act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below, and Tables.

The Adams Act of 1906, referred to in text, is act Mar. 16, 1906, ch. 951, 34 Stat. 63, as amended, which was classified to sections
361,
366,
369,
371,
373 to
376,
380, and
382 of this title, and was repealed by act Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 790, § 2,69 Stat. 674. For complete classification of this Act to the Code prior to repeal, see Tables.

The Purnell Act of 1925, referred to in text, is act Feb. 24, 1925, ch. 308, 43 Stat. 970, as amended, which was classified to sections
361,
366,
370,
371,
373 to
376,
380, and
382 of this title, and was repealed by act Aug. 11, 1955, ch. 790, § 2,69 Stat. 674. For complete classification of this Act to the Code prior to repeal, see Tables.

The Bankhead-Jones Act, referred to in text, is act June 29, 1935, ch. 338, 49 Stat. 436, also popularly known as the Agricultural Research Act, which was classified principally to sections
329 and
427 to
427j of this title, and was repealed by act Aug. 11, 1966, ch. 790, § 2,69 Stat. 674, except for sections 1, 10, and 22 of the Act, which are classified to sections
427,
427i, and
329, respectively, of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note under section
427 of this title and Tables.

Title I, section 9, of that Act, referred to in text, was classified to section
427h of this title prior to repeal.

The Act approved July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503), referred to in text, is act July 2, 1862, ch. 130, 12 Stat. 503, popularly known as the “Morrill Act” and also as the “First Morrill Act”, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 301 et seq.) of chapter
13 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
301 of this title and Tables.

1998—Pub. L. 105–185struck out “Alaska, Hawaii,” before “Puerto Rico” in second sentence.

1974—Pub. L. 93–471defined “State” to include the District of Columbia.

1972—Pub. L. 92–318defined “State” to include Guam and the Virgin Islands.

1955—Act Aug. 11, 1955, amended section generally to continue agricultural research at the agricultural experiment stations, to restate the declaration of purpose, and to insert definitions of “State” and “State agricultural experiment station.” Former provisions which required division of appropriations between colleges of same state are now contained in section
361h of this title.

Effective Date of 1974 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 93–471effective July 1, 1975, unless Pub. L. 93–471repealed by District of Columbia Council after Jan. 2, 1975, and prior to July 1, 1975; or such amendment by Pub. L. 93–471, as amended by the District Council, also effective July 1, 1975, or some other date prescribed by the Council as authorized under provisions of section 407 ofPub. L. 93–471.

Effective Date of 1972 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 92–318effective after June 30, 1970, see section 506(n) ofPub. L. 92–318, set out as an Effective Date note under section
326a of this title.

Besides the provisions establishing agricultural experiment stations, contained in act Mar. 2, 1887, a portion of the Arlington estate in the State of Virginia was set apart for experimental agricultural purposes by act April 18, 1900, ch. 243, 31 Stat. 135, and provisions for establishing and maintaining a general experimental farm and agricultural station thereon were made by the subsequent agricultural appropriation acts.